The Girl with the Golden Scissors

A Novel

By: Julia Drosten, Deborah Langton - translator

Narrated by: Kathleen Gati

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

From the bestselling author of The Lioness of Morocco and The Elephant Keeper’s Daughter, the story of an ambitious young woman discovering friendship, love, and her own identity on the eve of World War I.

Christmas 1889. A baby is born in the early hours at Vienna General Hospital, only to be abandoned by her unwed mother and entrusted to a foundling home and its loving caretaker.

Fanny Schindler grows from a precocious girl into a strong-willed young woman. Undeterred by the rules of her station, she’s determined to rise above her humble origins and pursue her dreams at all costs, becoming an apprentice to one of the most glamorous fashion houses in Austria-Hungary. All the while, as Fanny searches for a sense of belonging, her path crosses with those of three people who will change her future. To one, she is a cherished friend. To another, a confidant. And to a handsome career soldier, something more.

When hostilities in Europe burst into flame as a brutal world war, the future of the dual monarchy is at stake, friendships are strained, loyalties are tested, and everything is at risk. And when long-buried secrets about Fanny’s past come to light, she must decide what truly matters - and what is worth fighting for in a new world of infinite possibilities.

©2017 Julia Peczynsky and Horst Drosten (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2019 by Deborah Langton

Julia Drosten is wonderful

This book was just as good as the others! The narrators are exceptional and add to the story. This is a period style book, with many elements.

Historical fiction in a different than usual time and place

This was well done! I could “see” Vienna, “feel” the times!

Setting is Vienna, before and during WWI. For me, this is unusual and was exciting to learn more about this place and time. It was also fun to learn more about fashion and education during these times.

Characters are well thought and presented. History review at end of book is valuable.

Totally enjoyed this book!

Great story!

I had to speed up the narration to 1.5x, but other than an inordinately slow narrator, this was a great story and I fished it in a day. I do wish for a different ending, but it was a realistic one, rather than a romantic version.

Wonderful

Totally enjoyed the historic background and the character development of the story. Also enjoyed the romantic aspect. Looking forward to reading more things of this genre.

Beautiful Novel

This is an engrossing story. it was very interesting to listen to the story of World War 1 from a different perspective. I found the character realistic interesting and most were very likable. The narration did not subtract from the story at times the flow even added to the story.

Excellent

I loved this book and all it covered. Rejection of Fanny, saved by the love and kindness of the woman who watched her difficult beginning. Her determination in life not to just settle for her proper “station” in life created a life beyond her dreams. Life was hard for her. The fact she fell in love with someone she couldn’t have was unbearable. Overcoming many obstacles in her life, it finally was what she wanted.

Great read

Fanny with all her spirit and determination is a loveable heroine. As you follow her through her adventures you are quickly taken by her charm. The settings of Budapest and Vienna before the first world war are lovely and take you back to an elegant European era. The descriptions of the war torn countries , the suffering as well the devastation of Franz Joseph's empire are well researched and bring an authentic feel to the novel.

A very interesting story!

I enjoyed reading about the time period and the main characters life. it's difficult to comprehend what would happen to children during that time period. her eyes in the fashion world was very well done.

Very good story!

A little too much French language for me. I'm fussy like that. Don't let that stop you from listening to it.

Lesahalldoll

What a great story!! Don’t miss this, characters are rich, narrator is Excellent! Such a great tale